Karan Johar was the first celebrity to welcome the Supreme Court's landmark judgement abolishing Section 377

Highlights

Abolishing Section 377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights

Homosexuality is no longer an offence, the Supreme Court decided

Section 377 was challenged by five petitioners

Karan Johar was the first celebrity to welcome the Supreme Court's landmark judgement abolishing Section 377, under which homosexuality was a criminal offence, in a tweet posted minutes after the verdict was read out by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. "Historical judgement. So proud today. Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing #Section377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights. The country gets its oxygen back," tweeted the 46-year-old filmmaker. His post was followed by those from Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Hrithik Roshan, Twinkle Khanna, Abhishek Bachchan and others.

Historical judgment!!!! So proud today! Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing #Section377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights! The country gets its oxygen back! pic.twitter.com/ZOXwKmKDp5

Aamir Khan posted a video clip of his show Satyamev Jayate, in which he discussed about 'accepting alternative sexualities,' and tweeted:

We thank the Supreme Court for its decision to strike down article 377. It is a historic day for people who believe in equal rights for all. The judiciary has done it's duty, and now we must do ours. https://t.co/zzxc4kfNxS

Richa Chadha, who told NDTV - "I'm so excited today. It's a glorious day, homosexuality has been decriminalised. So happy for my LGBTQ fam. You've worked very hard for this over the decades and this is the rainbow we needed and I'm so happy we are celebrating" - also shared a wonderful post with her friends on set.

We won! Thank you SC! #377IsHistory#pride"Section 377 is arbitrary. The LGBT community possesses rights like others. Majoritarian views and popular morality cannot dictate constitutional rights. We have to vanquish prejudice, embrace inclusion and ensure equal rights."

In a statement, Dia Mirza added to what she said in her tweet: "Supreme Court restores my faith in our people yet again. Proud that my country believes in and upholds equality.Two consenting adults irrespective of sex, religion, cast and gender cannot be rendered criminals by the law."

"#Section377 decriminalized. Super happy for my friends and the entire LGBTQ community. Pride in my heart and pride all over the country," tweeted Aditi Rao Hydari.

This morning, a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Misra reversed its own 2013 decision and delivered a spectacular win for India's LGBT+ community. Homosexuality is no longer an offence, the Supreme Court decided, striking down a controversial ban on gay sex that dates from the British Raj. "We have to bid adieu to prejudices and to empower all citizens," read out Chief Justice Misra from the verdict, which declared Section 377 'irrational and arbitrary.' The verdict also makes it clear that homosexuality is not a mental disorder.

In 2013, the Supreme Court overturned a Delhi High Court order scrapping Section 377 on the grounds that the job was that of Parliament and not the courts. This year, the Supreme Court said it "cannot wait for a majoritarian government" to decide on enacting, amending or striking down a law if it violates fundamental rights.